September Peeks

Toys We Wish Were Ours

By Alison Marek
September 2006

We at TDmonthly Magazine like toys, and these are the toys we wished they’d made when we were kids. From wraparound Dragons to fearsome fake battles, we think kids’ll get a kick out of these Autumnal offerings. Here’s what the staff thought was cool this Fall:

Mazu Kan by WILD PLANET

Mazu Kan by WILD PLANET Mazu Kan is a two-player non-contact battle game. Strap on the Mazu Kan’s chest-plate and wristbands and punch/power attack away. If one opponent doesn't block, the other scores, and the loser’s chest vibrates with excruciating, humiliating ... vibrations. Knock the opponent’s life-lights out and be victorious. Use the energy force unit to fight, heal and shield. In this game, strategy is essential, and only a true Mazu Kan master can be victorious. Chop, punch, block and dodge: everything a real battle has... without the bloody noses and crying home to mom. 8/28/2006 (MSRP: $49.95; Age: 8 and Up)

Farm Collection Wrapped Canvases by WEE GALLERY

Wee Gallery has created adorable designs from down on the farm: a striped bee, dotted cow, feathered hen, flowered pig and curly sheep on a field of corn make up the Farm Collection of wall art for babies. A set of four in a series retails for $140.00. Other series include Sea Collection and Wild Collection. Launch date: Summer 2006. 8/21/2006 (MSRP: $38.00; Age: 0 and Up)

Wrap-n-Rides — Dragon by AEROMAX INC.

Kids who have a hankering for firey breath can slip on this plush stuffed dragon and steam things up a bit. There are 20 wild styles of wrap-around costumes to choose from, including Crocodile, Duck and Dolphin. 8/17/2006 (MSRP: $39.95; Age: 3 to 5)

Twisted Tales by INNOVATIVEKIDS

This Phonics Comics level 3 is about the stories kids think they know ... but they'll discover the "twists" in "Hansel and Gretel," "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" in these new takes on old tales. Written by Kitty Richards and illustrated by Fernando Juarez. Launch date: July 2006. (Read Review) 8/17/2006 (MSRP: $3.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Who Are You? Thumball™ by ANSWERS IN MOTION

Helps kids to get to know each other. 4" size. 8/16/2006 (MSRP: $10.99)

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

The stories in “Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich” are all about monsters and some are about food, too. Count Dracula walks around with spinach in his teeth. The Phantom of the Opera can’t keep the song “It’s a Small World After All,” running through his head, and the Yeti doesn’t appreciate being called Bigfoot. See? Monsters have problems, too. Written and illustrated by Adam Rex. Hardcover, 40 pages. 8/14/2006 (MSRP: $16.00; Age: 5 to 10)

The Raven by KIDS CAN PRESS

The Raven by KIDS CAN PRESS The melancholy of Edgar Allen Poe’s classic poem is echoed by Ryan Price’s exquisitely grim illustrations in this fifth book of the KCP Poetry series. Originally published in 1845, “The Raven” is narrated by a scholar brooding over his lost love Lenore. One bleak December at midnight, a raven with fiery eyes visits the scholar and perches above his chamber door. Struggling to understand the meaning of “Nevermore,” which his winged visitant repeats, the narrator descends by stages into madness. Hardcover, 48 pages. 8/14/2006 (MSRP: $16.95; Age: 10 and Up)

Wild Safari Adventure Truck™ by SAFARI LTD.®

Take a ride on the wild side with Safari's new Wild Safari Adventure Truck. Constructed of extra strong ABS plastic, this truck gets you where you want to go with oversized tires that really turn. All doors open and close and the cage is removable for added play value. This truck was designed for the ever-popular Wild Safari jungle animal series. Comes packaged in a bright and colorful gift box and measures 10" long x 4" wide x 5" high. 8/7/2006 (MSRP: $20.00; Age: 3 and Up)